Unilever, Ingka Group and others call for stronger government ambition at COP30

Several global companies, including Unilever and Ingka Group, are calling for stronger government ambition to accelerate climate action as COP30 kicks off in Belém.

Heads of sustainability at Unilever and Ingka Group have written open letters to urge world leaders attending the UN climate conference in Brazil to strengthen their national plans and deliver on promises from previous COPs.

“Despite the crucial commitments made since the Paris Agreement, consumers are still largely asked to bear the burden of conscious choices like recycling and reusing. Yet, essential regulation and incentives for circular design and renewable energy lag far behind. This profound disconnect between global pledges and tangible systemic support highlights a fundamental flaw in our approach to climate change,” said Simon Henzell-Thomas, Head of Climate and Nature at Ingka Group.

To deliver real climate ambition, he called for 1.5°C-aligned nationally determined contributions (NDCs) from all nations, a clear, negotiated outcome on these to ensure accountability and progress, full delivery on the COP28 pledge to triple renewable energy capacity and double the rate of energy efficiency improvements by 2030, and supportive policies to scale up public and private finance for a sustainable, circular economy.

‘Now is the moment to limit the worst climate scenarios’

Meanwhile, Hannah Hislop, Head of Sustainability - Climate at Unilever, said she was at COP30 to “advocate for policies that will encourage businesses to invest in climate solutions in their global value chains”.

“Climate change poses a significant risk to our business, particularly through supply chain disruptions such as severe flooding or drought. COP remains the most important multilateral process to address climate breakdown. With countries expected to submit updated NDCs – national climate plans – at COP30, now is the moment when bolder national ambition can minimise the likelihood of the worst climate scenarios,” she added.

Phasing out fossil fuel subsidies

Ahead of COP30 last week, business networks representing more than 100,000 firms also called on governments to realign public finance and policy incentives with the clean energy transition. 

In a letter signed by WBCSD, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, the World Green Building Council and the Spanish Green Growth Group, they argue that redirecting public finance and policy support away from fossil fuels and towards affordable and reliable clean energy solutions is needed to strengthen energy security, enhance competitiveness and support long-term economic stability. 

They urge governments to phase out fossil fuel subsidies to level the playing field for clean energy, reform energy markets so prices reflect the lower cost of renewables, and introduce carbon pricing and clean energy tax incentives to accelerate the energy transition.

Maria Mendiluce, CEO of the We Mean Business Coalition, which co-ordinated the letter, said: “Business is investing in the clean energy transition, but governments still control the incentives that shape markets. Realigning financial signals away from fossil fuels and towards clean energy is one of the fastest, smartest ways to cut costs, boost resilience and attract private investment at the scale needed. At COP30, world leaders must set clear direction so business can move faster.”